Readers weigh in on the ‘jerk merge’

A commuter makes an illegal right turn onto Octavia Boulevard at the last second from a left lane on Oak Street in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

A commuter makes an illegal right turn onto Octavia Boulevard at the last second from a left lane on Oak Street in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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A motorcyclist cuts into a lane at the last second to make a right turn from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

A motorcyclist cuts into a lane at the last second to make a right turn from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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Commuters turn right from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

Commuters turn right from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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Traffic signs are posted for commuters turning right from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

Traffic signs are posted for commuters turning right from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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A truck driver cuts into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

A truck driver cuts into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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A truck driver cuts into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

A truck driver cuts into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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A message is sprayed on the sidewalk at the intersection of Oak Street and Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists turning on Oak onto Octavia cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

A message is sprayed on the sidewalk at the intersection of Oak Street and Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists turning on Oak onto Octavia cut into the right ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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Commuters turn right from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

Commuters turn right from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

Image 9 of 13

A commuter makes an illegal right turn onto Octavia Boulevard at the last second from a left lane on Oak Street in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

A commuter makes an illegal right turn onto Octavia Boulevard at the last second from a left lane on Oak Street in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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Commuters cut into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

Commuters cut into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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Commuters cut into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

Commuters cut into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make ... more

Photo: The Chronicle

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A driver cuts into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make an illegal right turn from the left lanes - creating large backups and irking other drivers. less

A driver cuts into a right turn lane on Oak Street just before Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Some motorists cut into the right turn lane at the last minute - or make ... more

It seems almost everyone who has been behind the wheel in the Bay Area has been cut off by one of these ne’er-do-wells — or has pulled the move themselves.

Commuters turn right from Oak Street onto Octavia Boulevard in San Francisco, a stretch where many motorists cut in line. Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

The problem with the maneuver extends beyond being rude and dangerous. Traffic experts cite the jerk merge as a contributor to rush-hour gridlock. But San Francisco police have not prioritized ticketing the drivers.

Some readers explained how they shame drivers to discourage the maneuver, while others admitted they were guilty of doing the move themselves. Some readers pointed out areas of the city where people often merge like jerks — places not listed in the Chronicle Watch piece.

The following are some observations about the shenanigan that readers either left as comments or e-mailed in:

From SFGentrifier:

“I purposefully block both lanes like I did this morning. When I see someone trying to cut in front of me, I speed up and get close to the other car. These people drive me nuts, but its fun to watch them flip you off.”

From NoKool-aid:

“Now, I am not apologizing for the jerks who pull in last minute, but drivers should also let drivers in who didn’t know to cue up in a particular lane before the cue line already began forming.”

From Persist:

“This is now the San Francisco ethos: What I have to do is more important than what everybody else has to do.”

From Linda Chambers:

“Now I at least have a name for this. The approach to the Bay Bridge from First Street is the worst. And so much road rage on the part of people that you don’t let into the middle lane — like they are entitled.”

From RedHedd:

The 10th Street on-ramp to southbound Highway 101 is “a nightmare gridlock dangerous place morning and night. Whoever designed this monstrosity should be made to drive it every day at rush hour.”

From Tippy Top Tom:

“Drivers complaining about their commute is journalism?” (Ouch.)

From Chiree

“It took me awhile till I figured out the Oak and Octavia merge, but I just pretended I was a confused tourist. Then I realized a parking sticker was on my bumper. My bad!”

From Murrtheblurr:

“I have noticed that the overwhelming majority of jerks who pull off this selfish stunt are driving a Mercedes or a Lexus or some other high end car. The ultra type A’s, who feel entitled in all situations in life.”

From Sprout77:

“I block them. As long as they look insured. Go ahead, hit me jerk.”

From SFNativePlant:

“Maybe that person is a tourist that is lost. Maybe that person just got confused by poor traffic engineering. Maybe that person has a family emergency. Maybe that person just got fired from her job and is upset. Maybe that person just isn’t very bright and many things confuse him or her. Or maybe that person just doesn’t have the intelligence, wisdom and patience that I have. But that person is not a jerk.”

From Merrie Dickerson:

“I’m an out-of-towner and when I realize I’m in the wrong lane, I freaking stay in that lane and reroute rather than jeopardize everybody. Everybody else wants to get to where they’re going, too, so stop acting like an overprivileged jerk.”

And from Alia Brown:

“Just use your blinker, make eye contact, maybe wave. Just don’t be a douche about it.”

Keep the great comments and e-mails coming, and thanks to all readers who are so engaged with this story.